“The child by reason of his physical and mental immaturity, needs special safeguards and care, including appropriate legal protection, before as well as after birth” UN Convention on the Rights of the Child

Thursday, February 7, 2013

The Irish Independent Feb 6th published a report
on the Cardinal Burke story we reported on Feb 4th. The report under
the title ‘Priests told: deny communion to TDs who support abortion’, quotes
His Eminence as saying that in accordance with Canon Law, (1) priests should
exclude politicians who support abortion from receiving communion, and (2) that
the local bishop should "teach clearly in the matter" and (3) should
encourage his priests to make sure that the church's discipline is observed.

Catholic Church teaching on issues, such as the right to life of the
unborn, is not an 'a la carte' menu from which Catholics may pick and choose, it is an expression of truth that must be accepted by all Catholics in good standing, it is not an optional extra. Catholics who support abortion
publicly or those who claim to be personally opposed to abortion, but nevertheless
vote for it act contrary, not just to Catholic teaching, but also contrary to
natural law. When Catholic legislators publicly support abortion they give grave
scandal to others but also place their own souls in danger. Cardinal Burke in
recommending the public sanction of denial of Holy Communion in these
circumstances is acting in a pastoral capacity and urges the Irish Bishops to
act in a similar manner.

The Independent article reads:

A SENIOR Vatican cardinal has told priests not to give
communion to politicians who support abortion.

Cardinal Raymond Leo Burke warned that legalising abortion
creates a "culture of death" and that he fears for the future in
Ireland.

The American, who is based in the Vatican, weighed in to the
Irish abortion debate and said a diocesan bishop could directly reprimand a
politician in certain circumstances.

And in accordance with canon law, he said priests should
exclude politicians who support abortion from receiving communion.

"Those who obstinately persist in manifest grave sin
should not be admitted to receive holy communion. There can be no question that
the practise of abortion is among the gravest of manifest sins," he said.

"As long as (a Catholic politican) continues to support
legislation which fosters abortion or other intrinsic evils, then he should be
refused holy communion."

The local bishop should "teach clearly in the
matter" and should encourage his priests to make sure that the church's
discipline is observed, he added.

Cardinal Burke is prefect of the Apostolic Signatura – the
supreme authority on justice in the church apart from the Pope. He made the
comments in an interview with the Irish 'Catholic Voice' newspaper.

He discussed Catholic teaching in light of the tragic death
of Savita Halappanavar and abortion in the US. Ms Halappanavar died after
allegedly being refused a termination for an unviable pregnancy.

"Her request would not have made it right for the law
to permit such an act, which is always and everywhere wrong," said
Cardinal Burke.

Meanwhile, Health Minister Dr James Reilly promised his
Cabinet colleagues to come back with draft abortion laws – but can't give a
date.

Government tensions mean the heads of the bill are not yet
finalised.

Dr Reilly only gave a verbal briefing to the Cabinet today
on the proposed laws as a result.

And there was no detailed discussion among ministers on the
issue.

The minister said the next time he comes back, he will have
a draft in writing.

A Government spokesman did not have a timeline.

NOTE: The statement by Cardinal Burke is being misquoted he did not say that priests should not give Communion to politicians who support abortion, rather he addressed his remarks to politicians saying that they should not present themselves any more to
receive Holy Communion if they support anti life policies. The following is an extract from the Cardinal's statement
The Cardinal said "[...] those Catholic politicians who
obstinately promote anti-life and anti-family legislation, for instance, who
support and vote for legislation, who make procured abortion more readily
available, … and other such violations of the Moral Law, this is a very grave
sin and once they’re warned, they should not present themselves any more to
receive Holy Communion until they have amended their ways.”

Pat Buckley

I was born in Galway, Ireland where I attended first Scoil Fhursa and then St Ignatius (Jesuit) College. My family moved to Cork in 1960 and I spent my last year at the Christian Brothers College in Mc Curtain street Cork (CBC).

I came to Dublin in 1963 where I met and married my wife Philomena. We have lived in Dublin since then and have been blessed with seven children and 17 grandchildren (so far). When I finished school I studied architecture through the professional institutions and I am a retired Member of the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland (MRIAI). I also hold a BSc. in psychology and political philosophy.

I currently lobby pro-life and pro-family issues at the United Nations in New York and Geneva and occasionally at the European Parliament and Council of Europe. I am a member of the pro-life, pro-family coalition operating within the international institutions and I am a consultant to the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children SPUC on UN and related matters.

Between 1978-85, as a married couple Philomena and I were involved in the presentation of Marriage Encounter Weekends and pre-marriage courses. We also represented Worldwide Marriage Encounter on a committee for the family in the Dublin Archdiocese. Between 1985-1988. I was appointed National Secretary and then President of the Catholic Secondary Schools Parents Association (CSPA). I have been lobbying pro-life issue at the UN for upwards of 12 years.

I am a past President of the National Association of Catholic Families (NACF)

Publications:

1997: Anthology of pro-life verse

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